Jump directly to the content
BEST OF THE BEST

Incredible behind-the-scenes photos reveal gritty life of UK’s armed police in face of terrorism, riots and gangland shootouts

Metropolitan Police firearms officer Stephen Smith has revealed all in a new book

SHOCKING photos show what life is really like for an armed police officer in London in a new book by a firearms veteran.

Sobering images show the brave men and women who put themselves on the frontline to try and keep peace in the UK capital under the most difficult circumstances imaginable.

Armed Police Officers ‘form up’ at the side of the building while the door is breached by an explosive charge
17
Armed Police Officers ‘form up’ at the side of the building while the door is breached by an explosive chargeCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
A dog and handler abseil down the tower at the Firearms Training Centre in Gravesend - believe it or not, many of the dogs enjoyed the training, says Smith
17
A dog and handler abseil down the tower at the Firearms Training Centre in Gravesend - believe it or not, many of the dogs enjoyed the training, says SmithCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PeteCox
Counter Terrorist officers in grey kit deploy from an armoured support vehicle
17
Counter Terrorist officers in grey kit deploy from an armoured support vehicleCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks

Photos show the horrendous terror attacks of 2017, the London riots of 2011, and the harrowing murder of Lee Rigby in 2013.

The unsettling snapshots are included in veteran firearms officer Stephen Smith’s new book London’s Armed Police: Up Close And Personal, a behind-the-scenes look at the Met’s Specialist Firearms Unit SCO19.

"This book is written from the perspective of the firearms officer. I make no apology for that," explained Smith.

"There is enough ‘police bashing’ in the press from pressure groups and ill-informed people using social media.

"This is an attempt to balance the books.

"Please feel free to judge, but first read about the incidents, put yourself in the officers’ shoes and identify the qualities they require to do a difficult, sometimes impossible, job."

The book covers events from the controversial shooting of Azelle Rodney in 2005 and Mark Duggan in 2011 (which sparked riots across the country), right up to the outrageous terrorist attacks on Westminster, London Bridge and Borough Market in 2017.

Other topics that Smith explores include the shooting of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes after he was wrongfully deemed a would-be bomber, and the horrors of the 2005 London Tube attacks.

"The role of today’s firearms officers has changed dramatically in the past decade as we’ve seen an increase in home-grown terrorist activity," added author Smith.

"Officers still have a responsibility to maintain the peace, fulfil a support role to their unarmed colleagues across London and act as a deterrent to armed criminals and would-be terrorists, while being prepared at any moment for a major terrorist attack.

MOST READ IN NEWS

Disgraced Labour minister SACKED over vile Whatsapp messages about constituents
MP'S SHAME

Disgraced Labour minister SACKED over vile Whatsapp messages about constituents

Missing girl, 11, found 'murdered' in woods after vanishing from school
SCHOOLGIRL 'MURDER'

Missing girl, 11, found 'murdered' in woods after vanishing from school

Heartbroken dad of Southport victim relives moment he knew she'd died
'I WENT COLD'

Heartbroken dad of Southport victim relives moment he knew she'd died

Hollyoaks star breaks silence after mum and stepdad found dead in France
SON'S AGONY

Hollyoaks star breaks silence after mum and stepdad found dead in France

“In 1983, excluding the non-Home Office forces, such as the CNC and MOD Police, I was one of 13,200 officers in England and Wales authorised to carry firearms. In 2016 there were just 5,639.

“It is fair to say these 5,639 officers are trained to a far higher standard than their predecessors and, unlike former colleagues, they are, on the whole, armed permanently."

Stephen Smith’s London’s Armed Police: Up Close And Personal, published by Pen and Sword Books, is due to be released this summer.

The police officer on the left shoots one of Lee Rigby’s attackers in the groin and thigh as he points a pistol at the officers - he is pictured already collapsing to the ground
17
The police officer on the left shoots one of Lee Rigby’s attackers in the groin and thigh as he points a pistol at the officers - he is pictured already collapsing to the groundCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
The plywood door of the room through which a drunk gunman fired his shotgun twice at London’s armed police on Valentine’s Day in 2015
17
The plywood door of the room through which a drunk gunman fired his shotgun twice at London’s armed police on Valentine’s Day in 2015Credit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
Author and former firearms officer Stephen Smith
17
Author and former firearms officer Stephen SmithCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/HassanGhazi
CCTV footage of charity youth worker Abdul Samad handing over his wallet just moments before being fatally stabbed in the chest by moped thief Nathan Gilmaney
17
CCTV footage of charity youth worker Abdul Samad handing over his wallet just moments before being fatally stabbed in the chest by moped thief Nathan GilmaneyCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
A tube traveller attempts to fend off attacker Muhiddin Mire using his backpack as a shield in the 2015 Leytonstone Tube Station Attack
17
A tube traveller attempts to fend off attacker Muhiddin Mire using his backpack as a shield in the 2015 Leytonstone Tube Station AttackCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
The van used by the three terrorists to kill three people on London Bridge and injure many in the 'year of terror' 2017
17
The van used by the three terrorists to kill three people on London Bridge and injure many in the 'year of terror' 2017Credit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
Aftermath of the 2011 rioting and arson attacks that caused so much damage and misery, especially in London
17
Aftermath of the 2011 rioting and arson attacks that caused so much damage and misery, especially in LondonCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
A doorman looking over one of the terrorists who is wearing a fake suicide vest in the London Bridge attack in 2017
17
A doorman looking over one of the terrorists who is wearing a fake suicide vest in the London Bridge attack in 2017Credit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
The wrought-iron railings into which Khalid Masood finally crashed his car following a killing rampage on Westminster Bridge in 2017
17
The wrought-iron railings into which Khalid Masood finally crashed his car following a killing rampage on Westminster Bridge in 2017Credit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
Combined Response Firearms Team training in Essex for the 2012 London Olympic Games - here cops are deploying on fast ropes from a Chinook helicopter
17
Combined Response Firearms Team training in Essex for the 2012 London Olympic Games - here cops are deploying on fast ropes from a Chinook helicopterCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer firing his SIG MCX weapons system on the range at Leman Street, the HQ of CO19
17
Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer firing his SIG MCX weapons system on the range at Leman Street, the HQ of CO19Credit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/PenandSwordBooks
Officers make use of cover on the tracks of the London Underground searching for a suspect who has fled into the tunnel during a training mission -the power is turned off before using this tactic
17
Officers make use of cover on the tracks of the London Underground searching for a suspect who has fled into the tunnel during a training mission -the power is turned off before using this tacticCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/DominiqueAndre
London’s Armed Police: Up Close And Personal
17
London’s Armed Police: Up Close And Personal
Armed British Transport Police officers ready for patrol outside St Pancras Station, London
17
Armed British Transport Police officers ready for patrol outside St Pancras Station, LondonCredit: Mediadrumimages/StephenSmith/MarkWilliams
Thug bites dog's ear after punching policeman during episode one of Channel 5’s Police Code Zero

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.

 

YOU MIGHT LIKE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MORE FOR YOU